I was very moved by the comments of Langdon Hagan-Long. This is exactly the 
attitude that should be pervasive in Virginia, not unique.

I would like to hope that when Langdon goes to the next reunion, he will go 
as a "member of the family", perhaps contributing to the food, or perhaps 
bearing gifts for all the people his family once "owned". T-shirts for the 
occasion, a trinket for the Christmas tree, something reminiscent of the old 
plantation. Perhaps if records of the plantation still exist that can 
pinpoint the births and deaths of the ancestors of these good souls, they 
could be made available. A lot of African-Americans are as interested in 
their "heritage" as are white folks. Making copies of family records could 
be a great assist.

But, most of all, be a part of the family created by his ancestors. Tell 
others of what is now, and hope it gets so infectous that it becomes routine 
in Virginia, even among families whose ancesters were "stinkers".

And, in the meantime, if all we are asked to do is to apologize as a state 
for the harm rendered, do it with honesty and humility, and be thankful that 
retribution isn't being demanded. As surely as Virginians identify with 
their ancestors to celebrate their great deads, they can idenity with the 
need to make good on their dastardly deeds.

Anne

Anne Pemberton
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http://www.erols.com/stevepem
http://www.erols.com/apembert
http://www.educationalsynthesis.org 

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